The Strand Study Bible

JEREMIAH

JEREMIAH

1164

( I Sam 24:4a ) and scriptural (Psa 5:8-10 & 13:2,4 & 17:8-14 & 35:19 & 54:5,7 & 56:2,9 & 59:1,10 & 109 & 143:3). 11:23 The entire city of Jeremiah’s hometown, Anathoth, was either killed or deported to Babylon ( And there shall be no remnant of them ). What’s even sadder is that after fifty years in captivity only 128 descendants of Anathoth returned (Ezra 2:23 and Neh 7:27). Few people, if any, ever care about the next generation. 12:1 Jeremiah’s question ( Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? ) is a legitimate one. Why do the ungodly appear to prosper? The question answers itself, as the ungodly only “appear” to prosper (Psa 49:16-20). Temporal realm successes are short lived (Lk 12:16-21) and never a true picture of prosperity ( III Jn 2a,b ). NOTE – While the problem as to why the wicked prosper is often addressed within Scripture (Jere 12:1-2, Job 21:5-14 and Psa 73:1-16), there appears to be little insight as to why. Could it be that the reason God allows the wicked to temporarily flourish at times is because this is the only Heaven they will ever know? God is not willing that any should perish (go to Hell - II Pet 3:9), and if they do, it hurts Him deeply (Ezk 18:23,32 & 33:11 and Lk 9:51-55). Thus, could it be that He allows people not going to Heaven to experience a little bit of heaven on earth, or is it just His mercy, which is wide ( Mt 5:45 )? 12:4 The backslidden people of God told Jeremiah that his predictions about them and the fall of their nation (Judah) would fail and that they would “outlive” him (the meaning behind “He shall not see our last end” ). 12:5 What God was saying to Jeremiah was this: “If you’re troubled now by what you see, you ain’t seen nothin yet! What are you going to do ( how wilt thou do ) when it really gets bad? I know you’re family has dealt treacherously with you (vs 6) just as my family has dealt treacherously with Me (vs 7-11), and now I must do something about it (vs 12-13). But I am still in control (vs 14-15) and you can always trust me to do the right thing (Gen 18:25). Am I only God when things are good?” NOTE – “ In the swelling of Jordan ” refers to when judgment falls.